As a baseball expert, I can explain the difference between an at-bat and a plate appearance.

An at-bat is a term used in baseball to describe a batter's turn coming to the plate with the intention to get a hit. It officially begins when the batter enters the batter's box and receives a strike call, a ball call, or hits the ball. An at-bat ends when the batter gets out or when the batter safely reaches a base due to a hit, an error, a fielder's choice, a dropped/uncaught third strike, or any other reason that is not a home run.

A plate appearance (PA), on the other hand, is a broader term that includes an at-bat but also counts other situations where a player comes to the plate without the intention of getting a hit, such as a bases-loaded walk or being hit by a pitch. A plate appearance ends when the batter is retired, reaches base safely, or the half-inning ends.

The key difference is that an at-bat specifically refers to a batter's attempt to get a hit, while a plate appearance encompasses all instances a batter comes to the plate, regardless of the outcome.

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A batter will not receive credit for an at bat if his plate appearance ends under the following circumstances: He receives a base on balls (BB). He is hit by a pitch (HBP). He hits a sacrifice fly or a sacrifice bunt (also known as sacrifice hit).read more >>